USA Artistic Swimming was formerly named U.S. Synchronized Swimming and was established as a nonprofit organization in 1979. USAAS serves as the United States national governing body for the sport and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Spectators have been awed by the grace and power of the sport of artistic swimming since its beginning in the early 1900s. Described as a mixture of swimming, dance and gymnastics, the goal of every performance is technical excellence, artistic impression and synchronization with the music.